PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2003

The seven member crew of Space Shuttle Coumbia, commanded by Col. Rick Husband, depart the Operations and Checkout building on Jan 16. Columbia and its seven-member crew, including Israel's first astronaut Ilan Ramon, were lost upon return to Earth Saturday following a 16-day space research mission. Observers in Houston who could see the shuttle as it flew overhead enroute to the Kennedy Space Center in Houston reported debris falling from the sky.This shuttle mission is dedicated to scientific research and is scheduled to last for 16 days. (UPI Photo/arino/Cantrell)

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